Murtoa: Grain History and Nature at Lake Marma

In Murtoa, history comes to life in distinctive buildings and collections, while Lake Marma reveals another side of the town. The Stick Shed tells the story of grain supplies during the Second World War, while museums and historic sites offer insights into railways, technology and local history. Visitors who want to combine nature and culture during their stay will find a range of interests here, without reducing Murtoa to a single attraction.

The Stick Shed: an extraordinary grain store

The Stick Shed is the only surviving emergency grain store built during the Second World War. It was added to the National Heritage List as Australia’s 101st landmark. Its design alone makes a visit special: inside, tall, untreated timber poles, a central aisle and skylights shape a cathedral-like space. The architecture is therefore not merely a shell for the history of grain storage; it is an essential part of the experience in its own right.

The current opening hours are seven days a week, from 10 am to 3 pm. As opening hours may change, check the latest times before your visit. This helps you plan The Stick Shed into your stay rather than treating the tour as a casual stop along the way.

Railways, technology and Murtoa’s past

The Murtoa Museum Precinct is home to the former railway water tower, built in 1886 to supply steam locomotives with water. Today, exhibitions, historic artefacts and memorabilia are spread across four floors. The Old Water Tower also houses the James Hill Taxidermy Collection, which includes more than 600 specimens of birds, reptiles and bird eggs. The collection and exhibitions have different focuses: nature specimens in one place, and objects and stories from the town’s past in another.

Another glimpse into Murtoa’s history can be found at Concordia Cottage. It is the only surviving building of Concordia College, a Lutheran seminary founded in Murtoa in 1890. Railway and industrial history take centre stage at Murtoa Railway Station: exhibits include railway relics and a model of the Murtoa railway precinct from the steam and diesel era of the 1960s. The Richard Hornsby engines, maintained by the Dunmunkle Sump Oilers, also tell the story of technological history. They are the only engines of their kind in the world still standing on their original foundations; they are housed in historic industrial buildings at Murtoa’s eastern end.

Visitors to the Museum Precinct can also ring the Concordia Bell Tower bell. Together with the various collections, this offers several distinct ways to explore the town’s history: through its buildings, technological equipment, exhibits and memories of former institutions.

At Lake Marma: explore on foot or by car

For a different perspective on Murtoa, head to Lake Marma. A two-kilometre walking track circles the lake, where a rich variety of wildlife can be seen; fishing is also possible at the lake. The Murtoa Heritage Trail, by contrast, is an easy route through town that can be explored on foot or by car and offers plenty of photo opportunities. The two routes can be distinguished by their described features: the Heritage Trail offers a choice between walking and driving, while the Lake Marma track is described by its two-kilometre length.

You can choose the focus of your stay according to your interests: historic buildings and collections, railway and technological history, or time by the lake and on the trails. If you’re looking for a hotel or other accommodation in Murtoa, this mix can help you decide which experiences you want to shape your trip. The opening hours for The Stick Shed and the time you plan to spend walking at Lake Marma are separate practical considerations: one concerns a visit to a specific place, the other the length of the route.

Discover more destinations: Meeniyan, Broadford, Keysborough, Nyah West, Kyneton, Redesdale, Barnawartha, Clunes.

For the broader travel overview: Victoria.